Hoodlums set a section of Ile-Epo Market in Oke Odo, Lagos State, ablaze following a dispute with traders over bet money on Wednesday evening.
The conflict extended into Thursday, resulting in devastating losses for market traders.
The altercation reportedly began when a trader disagreed with a lotto (BetNaija) operator who allegedly withheld N2,000 from his N13,000 winnings.
This dispute quickly escalated into violence, with hoodlums exploiting the situation to loot and set fire to properties within the market.
Numerous persons reportedly sustained injuries, and goods and property worth millions were destroyed during the chaos.
News Central learnt that Police operatives have been deployed to the site to restore law and order.
“One of the traders in the market played lotto (bet Naija) and won N13,000 but was given N11,000 and because of the N2,000 balance which he was not given, a fight started.
“The hoodlums from the nearby market used the opportunity to start looting and burning property in the market. They looted a lot of shops, and carted away food items and valuables.
“As I am speaking to you, we cannot enter the market, but police are currently there trying to calm the situation, I can hear sounds of tear gas. We have lost millions of naira in the market,” a trader said.
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